Website: http://www.um.edu.mt/healthsciences; E-mail: healthsciences@um.edu.mt; Tel: 23401830
FHS Monthly Newsletter: December 2012
RESARCH, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Publication in NURSE EDUCATION TODAY - Nursing students' knowledge
and attitudes towards dementia, A questionnaire survey, co-authored
by Mr Anthony Scerri, Department of Nursing, FHS. Co-author is Dr
Charles Scerri. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2012.11.001
SUMMARY
•
Background: In line with population ageing, the number of individuals with dementia
is expected to increase. Nursing students are more likely to care for dementia patients
during their clinical placements and once they qualify. Nevertheless, they may not be
adequately prepared during their undergraduate programme. Furthermore, lack of
support during their placements may negatively influence nursing students' attitudes.
Measuring the level of knowledge and attitudes of nursing students could be an
important step in providing evidence on the need of enhancing dementia care training in
the nursing curriculum.
•
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and attitudes of nursing
students in Malta towards dementia and identify factors related to these attributes.
Moreover, the students were asked to rate their training and educational needs from a
list of topics about this subject area.
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•
Design: A questionnaire survey.
•
Setting: Department of Nursing within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University
of Malta.
•
Participants: 280 full-time diploma and degree nursing students who are currently in
their first, second and third year of their undergraduate programme.
•
Method: The data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of the Alzheimer's
disease Knowledge Scale and the Dementia Attitude Scale. A 3-point Likert scale was
also used by students to rate their training and educational needs from a list of 20 topics
related to dementia care. The data was analysed using quantitative methods.
•
Results: Maltese nursing students had an adequate knowledge and showed positive
attitudes towards Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients. Age, academic year,
training and previous care of dementia patients during their clinical placement were all
found to be associated with increased knowledge and positive attitudes.
•
Conclusions: Knowledge and attitudes of nursing students in Malta towards persons
with dementia could be improved by enhancing dementia care training and improving
the clinical experience.
SOURCE: http://www.nurseeducationtoday.com/article/S0260-6917(12)00374-7/abstract
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms Rachael Agius, awarded a PhD from University of Malta
Ms Rachael Agius, Department of Communication Therapy, FHS, was successful in her studies
and is awarded a PhD from the University of Malta. Her supervisor was Professor Helen Grech,
Head of Department, FHS and her advisor was Professor Zhu Hua, Birkbeck College,
University of London, UK.
ABSTACT: This research examines the literacy performance of children who are exposed to
one or two languages at home and/or at school in Malta. The purpose of the study is to
standardise a novel battery of Maltese reading, writing and reading related tests. Maltese tests
were developed in parallel to UK/US standardised assessments. A total of 549 pupils in grades
4, 5 and 6 (aged 8 to 12 years) from state, independent and religious schools participated. The
sample includes 383 typically developing students and 166 pupils previously identified with
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reading difficulties. A comparison of the children’s performance on the Maltese and English
tests was undertaken and discussed in terms of the children’s first (L1) and second (L2)
language competencies and classroom reading instruction methods taken from parent and
teacher questionnaires. Reliability and validity studies were carried out for the purpose of
standardisation. Regression analyses outlined important predictors in English and Maltese
reading and writing. Principal component analyses and binary logistic regressions show that
three test batteries can be used in the diagnosis of literacy difficulties depending on whether
the child is (1) monolingual Maltese-, (2) monolingual English- or (3) bilingual MalteseEnglish speaking. Findings indicate that the type of school the child attends and, more
importantly, the language(s) spoken in the classroom should be taken into consideration in the
identification of reading difficulties. Findings are discussed in relation to similar studies
carried out on other bilingual populations. The Maltese test battery is the first of its kind and
can be used as a reliable diagnostic tool for the identification of reading difficulties in this
linguistically diverse population.
We congratulate Rachael on her achievement.
First Graduates from the e-Learning Degree for Health Care Professionals
The first cohort of students who pursued the online B.Sc. (Hons.) Health Science academic
programme for health care professionals have graduated on the 3rd December, 2012.
55 health care professionals, including 53 nurses, 1 Dental Hygienist and 1 Physiotherapist
have graduated from the University of Malta’s first undergraduate e-learning programme. From
the 55 graduates, 43 chose to complete the programme over 3 years, whilst 12 chose to
complete the programme in 2 years. The aim of the programme is to enable health care
professionals to upgrade their traditional or diploma level professional qualification to a
bachelor level academic qualification. This innovative programme has been designed,
developed and implemented by academics in the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health
Sciences.
The programme is delivered in a blended manner with the majority of the learning taking place
online using the University of Malta’s Virtual Learning Platform. The flexibility of the online
learning together with the flexibility of the programme duration has enabled health care
professionals who work a range of shifts across the seven days of the week, the possibility to
continue with their personal and professional development, through this degree at the Faculty
of Health Sciences, University of Malta.
The programme is offered every year, commencing in October.
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FHS Graduates 2012
Course
Diploma in Health Science Environmental Health
Diploma in Health Science Nursing Studies
Number of
Graduates
5
100
B.Sc. (Hons.) Applied Biomedical Science
9
B.Sc. (Hons.) Community Midwifery
1
B.Sc. (Hons.) Community Nursing
12
B.Sc. (Hons.) Communication Therapy
6
B.Sc. (Hons.) Health Science
55
B.Sc. (Hons.) Mental Health Nursing
25
B.Sc. (Hons.) Midwifery
8
B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing
85
B.Sc. (Hons.) Physiotherapy
14
B.Sc. (Hons.) Podiatry
10
B.Sc. (Hons.) Radiography
17
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management
2
Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
7
M.Sc. in Health Services Management
2
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences Communication Therapy
1
Total:
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359
FHS Graduates in 21 years (1992 – 2012)
3,517 FHS Graduates
400
359
350
300
250
225
216
206
215
204
202
195
200
187
180
174 170
167
157
144
150
155
138
116
100
72
50
24
11
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
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Research Seminars : 2012-2113
Date
Presenter
Department
28th Nov 2012
Dr Alfred Gatt
Podiatry
12th Dec 2012
Dr Ritienne Grima
Communication Therapy
9th Jan 2013
Ms Josephine Attard
Midwifery
23rd Jan 2013
Prof Joseph Cacciattolo
Medicine
13th Feb 2013
Mr Anthony Scerri
27th Feb 2013
Mr Marvin Formosa
Nursing
European Centre for
Gerontology
20 Mar 2013
Still to be decided.
10th Apr 2013
Still to be decided
24th Apr 2013
15th May 2013
Radiography
Nursing
Prof Paul J Pace
Centre for Environmental
Education & Research
Mr Carlo Conti
Physiotherapy
Christmas Activities at FHS
Christmas Staff Lunch: Wednesday, 19th December, 2012 at the Terrace Restaurant, Westin
Dragonara, St. Julians @ 12.30pm. Contact Person: Ms Doris Briffa: Tel: 23401114;
doris.briffa@um.edu.mt.
Christmas Staff Party: Friday, 21st December, 2012 @ 12.30pm in the Staff Room. Contact
Person: Ms Marika Spagnol : Tel: 23401151; marika.spagnol@um.edu.mt
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